Edisto Memorial Gardens will be filled with fun, fellowship and the celebration of family life Saturday, Aug. 22.

Williams Chapel AME Church is sponsoring the second annual Southern Midlands African-American Family Reunion from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. The alcohol-free event, featuring entertainment and music for all ages, is free.

Pastor Dr. Caesar Richburg says he hopes to build on the success of last year's inaugural event that drew an estimated 2,000 people.

"We did a similar event when I was pastor at Allen Temple AME Church in Greenville," he said. "There, we collaborated with a local radio station to introduce what was known as the Upstate African-American Family Reunion. Its purpose was to offer an opportunity to celebrate the heritage, but it's not restricted to the African-American community.

"That was in its fourth or fifth year in 2006 when I came to Orangeburg. By then, we were drawing 15,000 to 20,000 people to Greenville's Southside Park."

Families are encouraged to bring their grills, tents, blankets and lawn chairs to the Family Reunion for a day of fun.

A special children's play area with jump castles and water slides will be provided, along with giveaways of school supplies during the day. Entertainment will include the South Carolina State University drumline, step groups and a variety of music. Arts and crafts, sports and other vendors will also be featured.

Richburg says the lessons learned from last year's Family Reunion led to greater marketing and branding of Saturday's event.

"We invested a little bit more in getting the word out via the various area media. We also put out a lot of flyers," he said. "We did a lot more interviews on radio and television shows, too."

"I think it's a wonderful opportunity for entrepreneurs to network," Richburg said. "They can come and present to the community what they are offering. One of the things we are also hoping to see this become is more and more educational. Various agencies have been invited to make available information on the services they offer to the greater area."

Richburg says representatives from the Department of Social Services, Department of Mental Health and Department of Juvenile Justice will be on hand, as will those from Claflin University, S.C. State and Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College.

"We want everyone to come and congregate for a wonderful day of networking, fellowship and celebrating a basic tenet of family life," Richburg said.

For more information about the Southern Midlands African-American Family Reunion or for vendor information, call 803-536-0600.

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